Automatic control for reserve lubricants



Nov. 1 1, 1930. 5 1,781,252

AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR RES ERVE LUBRICANTS Fi 1ed Aug. 7, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 11, 1930.

A. SICKELS 1,781,252

AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR RESERVE LUBRICANTS Filed Aug. 7, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor jittorn qy Patented Nov. 11, 1939 ALLISON SICKELS, F CAPE MAY, NEW JEBSEY AUTOMATIC CONTROL LEOBl RESERVE LUBRICANTS Application filed August 7, 1928. Serial No. 298,085.

the motor crank case when the level of the lubricant in the crank case is below a safe level.

Another important object resides in the means employed wherebythe device is made inoperative during the function of the motor which would otherwise obviously cause an erratic operation thereof due to the uncertain level of the crank case lubricant by reason of the movement of the crank. shaft therein.

Still another object is to provide means whereby the automatically operable valve employed in the reserve lubricant supply conduit may be actuated manually for testing or for otherwise supplying lubricant to the conduit to the crank case without the imposition of the automatic means.

After reading the following specification and claim other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a longitudinal sectional view through the structure comprising the present invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the intermediate portion of the structure.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the device as illustrated in Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the structure in horizontal section disclosing the electro-magnet and the binding post to which a terminal thereof is connected.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, an elongated cylindrical casing 1 is threaded at its lower end to receive a removable bottom wall 2. The opposite end of the casing is inwardly flanged as at 3, and to which a cover plate 4 may be riveted or likewise secured.

A partition 5 is secured within the casing 1 in horizontal disposition, and substantially midway between the opposite ends thereof. By means of this partition the casing is clividecl into an upper compartment 6, and the lower compartment 7. The partition 5 is formed centrally with an opening 8 while a tube 9 is secured upon the partition 5 in upstanding position and about the opening 8, the upper end of the tube 9 terminates at a point below the cover plate 4.

An elbow 1O threaded at its opposite end has one of its ends threaded through the cover plate 4 and adapted to receive a pipe, shown in the drawing by dotted lines and designated by numeral 11, which connects to the reserve lubricant source. A valve shell 12 is provided with internally threaded collars 13--13 into one of which the opposite threaded end of the elbow 10 is disposed. The shell 12 is provided with a depending skirt 14 engageable within the upper end of the tube 9, while the collars 13-43 are adapted to rest upon the upper end of the said tube. A pipe section 15 threaded at its opposite end is arranged through the side wall of the casing in the manner shown in Figure 1. The inner end of the section 15 is engaged with the collar 13, while its opposite threaded end projects through the casing wall and has connected thereto a suitable pipe 16 having communication with the motor crank case. This pipe connection 16 also is equipped with a drain cook 17.

A pipe section 18 is threaded for projection through the side walls of the compartment 7 adjacent the bottom thereof. To the exterior ends of the pipe section 18 afsuitable pipe maybe connected for communica tion to the crank case of the motor. It is also to be understood that the casing 1 is to be disposed adjacent the crank case of a motor, so that the lubricant level of the crank case will assume a coplanar level within the lower compartment 7 by reason of the connection between said compartment 7 and the crank case. p

A float 19 is operable within the compartment 7 and suitable protuberances 20 are provided on the inner surface of the lower also assists in supporting the float in the proper position.

Secured to the top of the float 19is an elongated valve member 22, which while the float in its lowermost position is adapted to project upwardly through the tube 9 and into the depending skirt 14 of the valve shell 12, and to terminate ata point" below the'upper end of the shell so as to afford an unobstructed passage-way between the elbow and the pipe section 15, thus permitting the flow of lubricant through this conduit and pipe connection to the crank case when the level of the lubricant therein is low.

-Obviously when the level of the lubricant in the motor crank case is high and necessi tates nore lenF-shment the valve member 22 is in an elevated position, thus obstructing the flow of lubricant from the reserve source tothe crank case. I q 7 To prevent the operation of the float 19 during the function ofthe motor a magnetic field is set up by magnet 23 arranged within the upper compartment 6 and in such a position as to have eflect on the valve mem-f ber 22, which is of some permeable material, when the cells are energized. The magnet is provided with a binding 24, one

end of which connects to a binding post 25,1 while the opposite end thereof connects to a binding post 26. .The electro-magnet is thus interposed in the ignition system of the motor so that during the function thereofthe magnet will remain energized, obviously resultingin the maintaining of the valve member 22 disposed upwardly against any tendency of the float 19 to gravitate by reason of an insuflicient buoyant level of lubricant within the compartment 9. When the ignition system is opened, the magnet will bedeenergized and the valve 22 will assume the position corresponding to the buoyant position of the float 19. r f

1T0 manually operate the valve 22 regardless of the level of lubricant within the compartment 7, an elongatedpin 27 is slidably disposed through the; cover platea and is provided with a, collar 28 for'limiting the outward movement thereof. The inner end portion of the pin 27' is slidable through an opening at the top of the valve shell 12, so

that by depressing the pin 27 the inner end mayengage the valve' member'22 when the same is in elevated position vfor. causing downward movement thereof to permit a flow of lubricant through the pipe section 15, and the connecting pipe 16 to the motor crankcase without immediate attention will ultimately result in destruction of the crank shaft hearing as well as other bearing struc- U tures of the motor. It is also tobe understood that certain changes in the specific shape, size and material in the manufacture of this invention may be resortedto without departing from the spirit of the 1111 811131011.

or the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is: v s I n An automatic control for supplying re- 7 serve lubricant to motor crank cases, ln'combination, an oil supply line leading from a reserve trough to the usual crank case of an automobile, a chamber comunicating with the crankcase, a float operable within the chamber, a valve on the float seatable within the supply .line, an .electrounagnet interposed within the usual ignition system of the automobile, said float beingof a material capable of being magneticall at,-

t-raeted by said electro-Inagneflsaid eleetro-f.

magnet beingadapted for ,energization when the automobile englne is '111 operatlon so as to attract the float and maintain the valve in. that. position, said valve being suitably" Eli mounted as to return to an open position when the. said magnet becomes deenergi'zed.

In testimony whereof I am my signature. Y

ALLISON s gners.

crank case, or. on the other hand by opening the pet cock 17 the lubricant may be drained therethrough for purposes not necessary to 

